ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres - Intense competition begins this April

In just a month’s time, from 19 to 26 April 2014, the town of Hyères will be hosting the much awaited final leg of the ISAF world circuit, the Sailing World Cup Hyères – Toulon Provence Mediterranean. The only French leg of the Sailing World Cup, organised by the French Sailing Federation (FFV), is proud to welcome more than sixty delegations. With more than 600 boats and almost one thousand crew members, the competition will be intense and it promises to be a great show.

Five major legs make up the ISAF Sailing World Cup circuit: Qingdao (China), Melbourne (Australia), Miami (United States), Palma (Spain) and Hyères (France). Each of them plays host to all 10 Olympic classes as well as some Paralympic classes. In Hyères, the Finn , 49er , 49erFX , Nacra 17 , RS:X , Laser , Laser radi al, 470, Sonar and 2.4mR will be competing in the different areas offered by its waters.

This year celebrates the second edition of the Sailing World Cup to be held in Hyères and organised by the FFV with the technical, logistical and financial support of the town of Hyères and financial support of the Community of the Toulon Provence Mediterranean Agglomeration.

The Hyères race has existed for over 40 years and, in 2013, it obtained the prestigious Sailing World Cup label from the International Federation. This distinction, which allows the points the competitors score to count towards their World Cup rankings, is confirmation of the undeniable prestige of this venue, one of the great venues of international sailing and is also a just reward for the work done by the teams responsible for organisation on land and on the water. Everyone acknowledges the quality of the welcome and the professionalism of the teams that run the Hyères – Toulon Provence Mediterranean leg of the Sailing World Cup. For the participants in this sporting and festive week, the town makes available the very finest facilities and top of the range services.

The islands of The Levant, Port Cros and Porquerolles provide a natural rampart for the sailing area when the sea gets too choppy and offer an exceptional backdrop, making the waters around Hyères some of the most appreciated on the circuit.

The Sailing World Cup Hyères – Toulon Provence Mediterranean leg is the most important sailing competition in France in terms of numbers of participants and international competitors. A veritable feast of sailing and an important part of preparing for the Olympics, the Sailing World Cup is a flagship event for the crews, as witnessed by the presence of the best sailors in the world, including a number of Olympic medallists.